Army West Point Athletics
Army Postgame Notes
September 17, 2011 | Football
Sept. 17, 2011
Recap |
Final Stats |
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TEAM NOTES
• Army improved to 2-3 all-time against Northwestern. Prior to Saturday, the last time the two teams met was 1988, a 23-7 Army win at Michie Stadium. That game was also the Black Knights' last meeting against a Big Ten opponent.
• Army has defeated a team from a BCS automatic-qualifying conference in each of the last three seasons. The Black Knights defeated Vanderbilt at West Point in 2009 and Duke on the road last season. The Black Knights have four wins total over BCS AQ opponents (at Baylor, 2006).
• Army's win snapped the Wildcats' seven game winning streak in regular-season non-conference games.
• Army stopped its two-game home losing streak.
• Saturday's win marked the 650th in Army Football history.
• When Army went ahead 7-0 with 3:49 left in the first quarter, it marked the first time this season the Black Knights have led in a game.
• Army won its fourth straight game when leading after three quarters.
• Army won the game despite being -1 in turnover margin. The Black Knights are now 8-37 when on the short end of the turnover numbers since the start of 2006. It was only the second win (2-10) in the last 12 games when not forcing a turnover.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
• Army rushed for 381 yards, 28 above its average entering the game. It is the first time the Black Knights have reached the 300-yard mark in three straight games since the 1998 season (vs. Tulane, vs. Louisville, vs. Navy).
• Army has posted at least 75 rushing attempts in each of the last two games.
• Nine of Army's 10 touchdowns this season have come on the ground. Junior QB Trent Steelman has accounted for seven of those nine scores.
• The Black Knights held the ball for 40:19. It was the first time the team recorded back-to-back games with at least 40 minutes of time of possession since 1996 (41:26 vs. Tulane, 10-19 & vs. Miami (OH), 10-26).
• Junior QB Trent Steelman started his 28th consecutive game. Steelman ran for 108 yards, his second straight 100-yard game. He also scored three touchdowns for the second straight game. It was his fifth career 100-yard game and the first time in his career he reached that mark in consecutive games. Steelman's 28 rushing attempts were a career high.
• Sophomore SB Raymond Maples posted career highs with 17 carries, 95 yards and a 33-yard run.
• Sophomore WR Jared McFarlin was on the receiving end of Army's only completion. It was the third straight game in which the first-year starter has caught a pass.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
• Senior LB Steven Erzinger has started 28 consecutive games as Army's "rover" linebacker.
• The Army defense limited Northwestern to 115 yards on the ground, the stop unit's best showing of the season.
• Army has not recorded a takeaway in either of the last two games, marking the first time under head coach Rich Ellerson the Black Knights have gone two consecutive games without a takeaway.
• Junior LB Nate Combs registered his first career sack, helping thwart Northwestern's final drive.
• Sophomore DE Corey Watts registered his first career quarterback sack.
• Freshman DL Richard Glover played in his first collegiate game. Glover is the 27th Army player to make his collegiate debut this season.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
• Senior K Alex Carlton misfired on both of his field goal attempts (47, 25). Carlton had made 11 straight field goals dating back to last season.
• Junior P Chris Boldt made his first career appearance on Saturday. Boldt averaged 37.2 yards on four kicks, including a 50-yard boot.
